The Voice South Africa Recap: Could Fatman Actually Win?
After last week's surprising elimination (Not) of Tender we go into another Live Show hoping that the voting public defied all odds and voted for the right contestants this week (wishful thinking I know),
Special thanks goes to Daniel Baron and a half-naked Bobby for providing some much needed eye candy for us ladies. We have been terribly deprived since Bryce left the competition and that really helped ease our pain last night!
Enough with the perving, let's get on with the show!
Josh – “Something Just Like This” by The Chainsmokers and Coldplay:
R: Oh, I’ve found a Josh vocal weakness! The first verse was a little shaky and inconsistent. That’s a weakness. We know he has a humongous range, but his lower register proved to be a challenge. He took a risk this week, which I don’t think paid off. No one is going to dance to his version. No one is going to remember it. It was his weakest vocal performance thus far, but he’ll be safe. C+
J: This was not the right song for Josh. As much as I personally dislike old school rock hits that is what Josh is great at and what he should stick to. His voice trembled through the opening verse and he didn’t reach the heights he usually does. There were no soaring vocals, no memorable glory note. B-
Samantha – “Groen Trui” by Jan Blohm:
R: I know Justine was unsure about Sam singing this track, but her voice soared. It was clear, heartfelt, and beautiful. It was her best performance to date. Every part of her voice worked wonderfully, each note was infused with heart and meaning. This girl must have a future in the music industry. Afrikaans clearly works for her. A-
J: I am not the biggest Jan Blohm fan I admit but Sam once again knocked it out of the ball park. I felt each and every word she sang! It was hauntingly beautiful and showcased her crystal clear vocals beautifully. This girl is everything South Africa needs in a female artist. She has proven her versatility and I will buy whatever she is selling. A
And Josh and Samantha are declared SAFE this week.
Luke – “This Town” by Niall Horan:
R: I wasn’t sure about this song for Luke. Partly because I didn’t think it suited him, and partly because it’s not a song the general voting public would know. I was wrong about the former. It was beautifully done. His lower register is so good. He nailed the singer-songwriter vibe this week, and he meant every word he sang. It was a very solid performance. B+
J: So you have a cool song and a guy with a pretty good voice, sadly it does not automatically equate to a brilliant performance as was the case in this instance. Luke lacked vibe altogether and that is why he didn’t rake in the votes. He is a great singer, yes, but he failed to create an on-stage presence for himself. B
Craig – “Purple Rain” by Prince:
R: Wow! Best performance on The Voice SA ever! So much emotion, so much meaning, so much soul. It was a glorious performance befitting a show called The Voice. His voice and emotion blew the roof off the place. If Craig isn’t scooped up by Universal after the show, I would be stunned. He has it. A
J: While Reinhardt changes his pants I will try to be a bit more objective (just kidding). Craig is superb and delivers with soaring vocals each and every time. That said, I enjoyed last week’s performance more. I know the song requires it but I’m not big on vocal gymnastics. Still, a well-deserved: A-
Caroline – “It Must Have Been Love” by Roxette:
R: Caroline decided to take a different route for a change after last week’s horrendous Adele offering. She went for a softer ballad, and it was better than last week, but still not up to scratch I’m afraid. It was a solid vocal, but still, parts of it were still veering towards shrill. That higher register remains a mountain too high for her. An improvement, but still not there. C+
J: Last week was an absolute disaster for the pretty girl from Bloem and this week she took to the stage looking like a deer trapped in the headlights of an 18-wheeler. Her vocals were solid but she was still shrill for most part and once again failed to emotionally connect with the song. Caroline gave her best vocal performance of the season but still does not measure up to the vocal prowess of the other contestants. C+
Craig is declared SAFE and Caroline and Luke are into the Danger Zone.
PJ – “Imagine” by John Lennon:
R: This was a tad above PJ’s pay grade. This is one of the best songs ever written. It’s legendary. I don’t think PJ got the emotion and message of the lyrics over as well as it should have been. Vocally, it was solid, but I would have liked his falsetto to be more present. As witnessed last week, that’s where his soul lies. This performance needed that soul. B
J: This one of those songs that must be scrapped from every talent show songbook! Vocally, PJ was solid, he always is, but I don’t think he quite got the meaning of the song. Without his falsetto he kind of blends in with the stage décor and that is not what I want for this very talented lad. Song choice, PJ! B
Fatman – “Unchain My Heart” by Joe Cocker:
R: Fatman is a very good performer, but tonight was a little heavy and old school on the performance aspect, from what he’s singing to what he’s wearing and the physical performance style. It was a solid vocal, but it’s OTT. I’m starting to get the feeling that the Afrikaners might just carry this dude over the line, no? Possible. B
J: I am probably the most un-Afrikaans Afrikaans person alive but I thoroughly enjoyed this performance. Yes he was a bit OTT but so what? It was all kinds of groovy and the vocals were on point yet again. B+
Fatman is declared SAFE and PJ is the last contestant into the Danger Zone.
PJ is the first contestant to be declared SAFE, but it’s pretty obvious who’ll be eliminated.
Luke Lovemore is the 7th place contestant this season and the terrible aspiring diva Caroline Grace survives another week..
Who should go home:
R: Caroline
J: Caroline
Who will go home:
R: Samantha (But please don’t let it be true!)
J: Caroline
